Dyslexia Defined

What is dyslexia?

Official Definition

"Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction." International Dyslexia Association

What Causes Dyslexia?

The exact causes are not completely known; however, brain imagery studies indicate differences in brain development and function. Dyslexia is NOT due to either lack of intelligence or desire to learn.

Some Signs of Dyslexia

Possible Difficulties;

Learning to speak

Hearing rhyming words

Learning letters and their sounds

Reading fluently

Spelling

Memorizing numbers or facts

Organizing written and spoken language

Overcoming Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a life-long condition. Early identification and treatment is the key to helping students with dyslexia achieve in school and in life. Most people with dyslexia need help from a specially trained teacher, tutor, or therapist using a multisensory, structured language approach. It is important for individuals with dyslexia to be taught using a systematic and explicit method that involves several senses (hearing, seeing, touching) at the same time. Students with dyslexia often need a great deal of structured practice and immediate, corrective feedback.

School-based accommodations and modifications may also need to be implemented to help students with dyslexia succeed in a traditional academic environment and in life.

A Community Solution

The Learning Center for Dyslexia and Academic Success (TLC for Dyslexia) provides scholarships for intensive, specialized instruction for students with dyslexia. TLC also provides funding for training teachers in the "Take Flight Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia" curriculum at the Scottish Rite Learning Center in Las Cruces. The curriculum was developed and written by the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (TSRH) in Dallas, Texas.

The two-year curriculum builds on the successes of Alphabetic Phonics, the Dyslexia Training Program, and the TSRH Literacy Program using the research of Orton & Gillingham. It is a comprehensive curriculum for multisensory instruction in reading, writing, and spelling.